NATO’s future appears to be entering a new phase, with both the United States and its European allies acknowledging that the alliance must evolve. At talks in Brussels on Thursday, defence ministers signaled broad agreement that Europe needs to shoulder more responsibility for its own security — even if Washington and European capitals are motivated by slightly different concerns.
US Under Secretary of War Eldridge Colby, attending in place of Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, described the moment as a turning point. He argued that the alliance must transform into what he called “NATO 3.0,” where European nations assume primary responsibility for conventional defence on the continent.
In his view, Europe should provide the majority of the forces needed to deter or defeat aggression in the region. The message reinforced a long-standing American push for greater burden-sharing, as Washington looks to focus more attention on the Indo-Pacific and other strategic priorities.
A Shift in Mindset in Brussels
European leaders appeared ready to embrace the conversation. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte described the meeting as one of the most significant he had attended, pointing to what he called a genuine shift in mindset.
He highlighted increased defence spending across the alliance, noting that several countries — including Denmark, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland — are already exceeding the newly agreed target of 3.5% of GDP on defence, and doing so years ahead of schedule.
That higher spending benchmark was agreed upon after repeated pressure from US President Donald Trump, who has questioned America’s commitment to NATO’s collective defence clause if allies fail to meet spending expectations.
The renewed focus on European responsibility also comes amid tensions within the alliance. Trump recently threatened military action against Denmark over Greenland, prompting NATO to step up vigilance in the Arctic while diplomatic discussions continue.
Making NATO “More European”
German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said the shift is both natural and necessary. For years, he noted, the US carried the bulk of Europe’s conventional defence. Now, he said, it is time for Europeans to gradually take on more of that role.
France echoed that sentiment, saying efforts to strengthen NATO’s European pillar are already underway. Romania’s defence minister stressed the need for Europe to expand its defence production capacity, working alongside NATO and the US but ensuring that Europe can protect itself if required.
Dutch Defence Minister Ruben Brekelmans called for transparency between both sides of the Atlantic. He acknowledged Washington’s growing focus on other regions but said that with open dialogue and clear expectations, the alliance can manage the transition smoothly.
Signs of rebalancing are already visible. The US recently announced it would not replace a rotating infantry brigade in Romania, a move seen as the beginning of a gradual pullback. Meanwhile, European nations have taken on greater leadership roles within NATO’s command structure.
Still, some positions remain firmly American. Rutte emphasized the importance of keeping the Supreme Allied Commander Europe — the officer responsible for drawing up NATO’s military plans — an American. Given the size of the US economy relative to the rest of NATO, he argued, that arrangement ensures a strong and lasting US presence in Europe.
As NATO adapts to shifting global priorities and political uncertainty, leaders on both sides of the Atlantic seem to agree on one thing: the alliance must evolve — and Europe will have to play a much bigger part in shaping its future.
